July 1, 2024 - FRESNO, Calif. — Yovany Ramirez, 29, of Madera, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to 10 years in prison for distribution of fentanyl to a person under age 21, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Aug. 13, 2021, Ramirez distributed the fentanyl pills that caused the death of D.D., a 19-year-old Madera man. D.D. suffered a fatal overdose just hours later. Upon further investigation, law enforcement recovered additional evidence that Ramirez was dealing drugs and firearms.

This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Madera Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.
Source: DOJ Release